I had my first cardioversion a week ago which was successful and I’m still in NSR.
I am however very overweight and fall into that delightfully named category of morbidly obese. I’ve been on a diet for a few weeks and have lost around 7kg but it’s been slow and I keep hitting plateau’s despite always being in a calorie deficit (on average I’m eating 1400 calories a day).
Before the Covid pandemic I used to commute to work but for the past 3 years I work from home and I am not at all active. I can not leave the house for 3-4 days at a time.
I want to build in more exercise but don’t know how safe that would be as I’d like to remain in NSR for as long as possible obviously. I would take things very gradually and initially only want to do walks to build up stamina etc. The advice I got from the hospital and GP mentioned nothing about exercise and my GP essentially said, ‘just listen to your body’.
So, should I start some gentle exercise? Anyone been given specific advice by the hospital/ GP on this?
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I speak from the bitter experience of many cardioversions, not from anything I've been told.
A short walk on the level should be no problem for you now, but I would avoid exertion for a week or so yet. The gentler you bring yourself up to fitness levels the more likely your cardioversion will hold. Try and drink more water if you can and that will hopefully supress your appetite a little. I find that warm-hot water is the easiest to drink. Start your day with a glass or two of it.
Well done on the weight you've lost so far. I know how hard it is not to have all those lovely things to eat, but be strong, I know that I can't buy any whatsoever because I have to eat the lot asap, I know not to believe myself now when I say I'll make them last the week. I look at the amount of crisps in a packet and think to myself they used to be full, so two of todays packs must make one of the old ones. I eat a whole bar of chocolate telling myself once it's gone I'll have none, but that will be a good thing - cause I wont have to keep thinking about eating it. Biscuits - yes not happy if they're in the cupboard and can't stop at eating one, or even six.
Be strong my friend it works, know your weaknesses and don't buy goodies or have a large meal. My treats now are dates (two a day) and fruit. If I'm absolutely desperate in the evenings for something sweet I have a dish of cornflakes.
Let us know how you get on please and I sincerely hope you will stay in normal sinus rhythm now.
I took it easy for two weeks after my DCCV and then went for a very casual and slow walk. I’m pretty fit and not carrying extra weight and my system told me that was better for me. After that I took it really slowly building up. Even now I don’t let my heart rate get above 80% of maximum heart rate for my age. It’s served me well - 6.5 months in NSR 👌🏾
Start with walking. Gradually increase pace and intensity. Add some body weight exercises. If you can't find anything sensible PM in a week and I'll give you more info but I'm on holiday right now. Best regards ( qualified cardiac rehab instructor and afib sufferer!)
Having had lots I would not tell this gentleman to increase his walking pace and intensity one week after his cardioversion. Exertion too early could flip his heart back into AF, I know this from bitter experience. It needs to gain strength beating in it's correct rhythm. After a few weeks, then I'm sure your recommendations starting with gentle exercises will be perfect.
I read the message that this person was looking for long term weight control and fitness, thank you for allowing to clarify. I've had eleven cardioversions so I think I have enough experience on that front. I've always been told it is fine to exercise within 48 hours by EP, but in reality it has taken me two weeks to three months before I have felt able to resume exercise. Unlike yours, my afib is triggered by sleep and never exercise, although I am aware we are very different.
I'm GP referral; pulmonary rehabilitation; cancer rehabilitation; cardiac rehab qualified and work with the NHS as well as my personal experience of eleven cardioversions and three ablations in the last four years. X
Sorry jumping in here just wondered if you could me some advice please.
I have gone into persistence AF might be permanent not sure I like to exercise, I walk as well as ride a stationary bike might heart rate does go up quite high. I haven’t had a cardioconvert do you think I am okay to keep exercising?
All the medical evidence says yes, but keeping the breathlessness/HR reasonably low. You'd need to check with your EP or arrhythmia nurses first. You may need an approach like walk one min, rest one minute to keep the HR down. When I was waiting for a cardioversion I couldn't walk.more than a hundred metres or so without feeling cr*p so that was all I did. I know more about it now but it's all very individual. A good exercise would be using an electric bike too.. good luck
I can't help with the staying in nsr as it's a distant memory, but all the best to you on the dieting/losing weight. Generally speaking you don't lose weight through exercise. I absolutely see the benefits in exercise for cardiovascular health, general fitness and mobility. So as has been said go with the body. If there's a parkrun near you then you'll find that they also will support a 'parkwalk' - just turn up. Many people where I go do just that.
Well, sounds obvious, but definitely you should be exercising if you want to get fitter and shed some pounds. Walking is a great option. No reason not to do this heart wise. I'm sure your doctors would agree. Like others have said just start slow and steady following the cardioversion. The cardioversion won't last forever though and you will no doubt go back into AF at some point, whether walking or sitting. Getting fitter gives you a better chance long term of staying in nsr whether with the help of meds or through other interventions. I imagine you'll feel better overall if you are mobile. Best of luck 🌸
Thank you all for your replies and advice, it is very much appreciated. At the end of the week I’m off on holiday where the plan is to take it easy and not do a great deal other than potter about around the villages in Devon (and avoiding cream teas!!).
When I return I will be a month post cardioversion and so hopefully ready to build in more activity. But I will definitely be building up gradually.
I suggest you consult with Dr. William Davis's books on Wheat Belly. I especially liked Wheat Belly total health. It says much of what Wheat Belly says but with more explanation as to why Wheat, Grains, and sugar are killing us and keeping us overweight. My husband and I went on a Wheat, Grain and sugar elimination several years ago and it was the best thing we did. Lost weight without even trying. No counting calories either the weight seemed to fall off. My guess is that those foods create inflammation in the body, once the inflammation goes so does some unwanted weight. I had horrible inflammation imagine which has all gone away. Inflammation is a killer. These are just my thoughts.
I’m going to reply just about the weight loss issue if that’s okay. About 6 years ago I joined an on line group called ‘trinity transformation’ and lost 3 stone (22kg ) fairly easily. Nothing else had worked .I learnt so much through the programme and I now know how to eat for life.
One of the things that jumps out at me is that if you are really only eating 1400 calories you are not eating enough. I was around 82kg when I started and was put on 1800 calories a day. I lost weight easily on that. The programme is nutritionally educational, targeted at women over 40 ( not sure if you are female? ) involves weight training ( they assume you are a total novice and teach you everything with videos you just switch on and follow) . By the end of my weight loss I was eating 1350 cals and was a size 8. They then teach you to do reverse dieting where you build your calories back up, mine went up to around 2000 calories as a Maintenace amount to Manitoba my weight.
I could go on for ever about the benefits of the programme the two guys that run it Ben & Rob are amazing and care so much about all their clients.
I am not affiliated with the programme In any way, it was a game changer for me, and from what I understand excess weight can be a major factor with AFib so is of huge importance to try to get it right.
I was obese about 3 years ago. The main problem turned out to be sugar addiction. Cheese too, to a lesser extent. So I gave up sugar and cheese. It was hard for about a week, but I really wanted to regain my health and energy. Having an "absolutely no sugar (or fructose etc.)" rule really helped, as I do think sugar addiction is real. Over about a year and a half, I lost most of it, and am normal-sized. I love the foods I'm eating now and my heart does too.
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